Defending Notre Dame athletes as role models
Letter to the Editor
In regards to the Jan. 19 Observer letter concerning student athlete role models:
I would like to help Tim Crouch become better informed about the athletes at this school by providing him with a few facts. Hopefully he will use these facts the next time he judge and consequently greatly offends these intelligent hard-working individuals.
First, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) planned the Christmas party he referred to for children with cancer and their families. The simple motivation was to spread some Christmas cheer while doing something nice for others. This was not meant to be a good show of PR for the University.
Secondly, there are around 780 student-athletes currently at Notre Dame. The University gives out about 300 scholarships every year. Thus, the typical student-athlete is paying his/her own tuition. This also means that the typical student-athlete, since he/she is not on scholarship, must meet the same challenging academic standards required of all students. Athletes are in the same classes as their peers and manage to achieve comparable grades while spending 15-20 hours practicing.
Thirdly, no one can deny that the student-athletes here are very physically gifted, probably never worrying about their health beyond the flu. However, I believe he would have a difficult time finding one athlete, even one member of the Notre Dame community, whose life has not been touched by cancer or some other serious disease. Although they may not have experienced a serious illness first-hand, they have watched a relative or friend battle for their lives.
Finally, I find it very sad that he didn't want to allow these children to dream. Who knows, these children could go into remission and could represent Notre Dame athletically someday. Even if they do not, maybe for two hours at the Christmas party they temporarily forgot their troubles while celebrating Christmas with some of the Notre Dame athletes. Is that so bad? Regardless, I would gladly offer up any Notre Dame athlete as a role model over athletes from schools such as Oregon State or West Virginia. Be proud of the community you live in! It may not be as bad as it seems.
Kathleen Rimkus
senior, Badin Hall
Notre Dame women's swimming
January 23, 2001
All Viewpoint Stories for Tuesday, January 23, 2001
